A Britpop band has reunited and taken over our summer...
No, calm down, Noel. And you too, Liam.
There’s no one quite like Pulp. A band deeply embedded in musical history, their discography spans from ethereal indie pop to disco liberation, from Scott Walker-inspired ballads to clever whimsy, all unified by one of the most impressive lyrical talents in English music.
Pulp’s outstanding new album ‘More’ emerges as one of the top releases of 2025 so far, propelling the Sheffield band into a sold-out arena tour and a memorable performance at Glastonbury Festival.
As summer winds down, Clash writers highlight their favorite Pulp tracks – from chart-toppers to hidden gems…
—
Cocaine Socialism
Although it was released as a b-side/bonus track alongside ‘This Is Hardcore’, ‘Cocaine Socialism’ is arguably Pulp’s most musically vibrant and politically bold song of the late ‘90s, shifting the focus from sex to a mix of drugs, rock’n’roll, and politics.
Written in 1997 and centered on New Labour’s attempt to attract the youth vote ahead of that year’s general election through pop star endorsements, it serves as a five-minute commentary on hypocrisy with the concluding line, “Now I’ll get down to the gist: do you want a line of this? Are you a [sniff] socialist?”
It was ultimately replaced on the album by ‘Glory Days’, with Cocker later admitting to Uncut that “I just copped out really… looking back, we should have had the courage to release it, as it turned out to be quite… prescient.” (John Williamson)
Joyriders
The opening track of Pulp’s breakthrough album ‘His N Hers’, ‘Joyriders’ perfectly sets the mood. Featuring Jarvis Cocker’s trademark wry lyrics, the song describes cruising on a Saturday night past leisure centers. It beautifully captures the thrill-seeking spirit. Even after more than 30 years, it remains one of the standout tracks on the Mercury-nominated album. It brims with energy, showcasing Cocker's brilliant vocal delivery and the band at their best. Like much of Pulp’s finest work, it’s enjoyable and perhaps underrated compared to the likes of ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’ and ‘Babies’ that follow. Just like the album itself, ‘Joyriders’ is a pleasure to listen to. (Chris Connor)
—
‘Babies’
Many songs could be considered Pulp’s Very Best Of All Time, but in my opinion, the honor has to go to ‘Babies’.
This simply stunning track delves into teenage desire in all its uncomfortable reality, presenting a tightly packed short narrative. It transitions from a delicate, seemingly simplistic guitar line to an explosion of emotions, concluding with a wordless cry of regret and acceptance. It’s the sort of song that could only originate from one specific band, and that band is Pulp. (Robin Murray)
‘Do You Remember The First Time?’
Every great writer has their recurring themes. Orwell had his concerns over totalitarianism, Joyce sought linguistic freedom, while Jarvis Cocker focuses on sex. Casual relationships. Getting intimate.
A significant portion of Pulp's work revolves around sexuality, most notably in ‘Do You Remember The First Time?’, an anthem of losing one’s virginity that develops into a lyric infused with spite and male entitlement. This phenomenal track is both subversive and joyous, further highlighted by a feature-length video where various celebrities reminisce about their own experiences of sexual initiation.
The BBC couldn’t handle it: Top Of The Pops – the prudes – chose to book S*M*A*S*H* instead. (Robin Murray)
Sheffield: Sex City
Few songs have shifted a city's perception quite like ‘Sheffield: Sex City’ did during its eight minutes and 34 seconds as a b-side to ‘Babies’ in 1992. Pulp transformed its identity from post-industrial to post-coital.
The narrative starts by naming various locations within the city, followed by a Candida monologue and culminating in a raw celebration of the sexual escapades of the narrator and other city dwellers over a 24-hour span. Typically, Cocker distanced himself from both the events and participants. The sleeve notes revealed, “all these places really exist and maybe these adventures still happen there – I wouldn’t know, I don’t live there anymore,” while he later mentioned to Mojo that the intention was to write about sex not in “very clichéd or caricatured terms” but rather “as an aspect of everyday life.”
Grimy, humorous, and self-aware, it exceeded expectations. (John Williamson)
Bad Cover Version
Primarily chosen for one of the greatest music videos ever made, ‘Bad Cover Version’ was the concluding single of Pulp’s initial lineup, serving as a cheek
GRAMMY- and Oscar-nominated producer Solomon Fox takes center stage with "Fallin’ Back," a heartfelt R&B duet alongside Amaria that conveys the poignant feeling of struggling to move on.
Emerging pop sensation Snow Wife recently spoke with Atwood Magazine about her captivating ‘Bodyology’ EP, the harmonious relationship between her music and dance, and the backstory of her artist identity.
Hannah Jadagu has announced her upcoming album titled 'Describe'. The songwriter's first album, 'Aperture', received widespread acclaim upon its release in 2023, driven by
Indira Ellis is back with her latest alt-pop anthem, "Spellbound." The dreamer from the States has been pursuing her goals for some time, having moved to New York.
Kentucky singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman shares her thoughts on grief, legacy, and the timeless tradition that inspired her stunning third album, 'Planting by the Signs' – a collection centered on themes of inheritance, survival, and the quest for meaning. In a conversation with Atwood Magazine, she discusses loss and duty, guiding us through each track of her most heartfelt and imaginative work to date.
A group from the Britpop era has reunited and taken over our summer... No, please take a seat, Noel. And you as well, Liam. There’s truly no one like Pulp. A band profoundly